Method and apparatus for treatment of yarns



July 19, 1966 A. KUNZLE 3,261,155

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT OF YARNS Filed Dec. 18, 1963 3Sheets-Sheet 1 1 ly-- \7. \4 \4 F [IL Q1. T1 q 2 x .z I Z7 Z3 5 6 50 6Oi l I I 3 I INVENTOR- Ausus 7- Au/yzw a, s wdw,

July 19, 1966 A. KUNZLE 3,261,155

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT OF YARNS Filed Dec. 18, 1963 5Sheets-Sheet a I INVENTOR. Aususr Af/NZLE Arrow/57 {Jul 19, 1966 A.KUNZLE 3,261,155

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT OF YARNS Filed Dec. 18, 1963 5Sheets-Sheet 5 ii:.l2. Obj

INVENTOR. Aususr Kan 2L5 ATT'OPNEYS United States Patent 3,261,155METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT OF YARNS August Kunzle, Wattwil,Switzerland, assignor to Heberlein Patent Corporation, New York, N.Y., acorporation of New York Filed Dec. 18, 1963, Ser. No. 331,568 Claimspriority, application Switzerland, Feb. 1, 1963, 1,27 7 63 13 Claims.(CI. 5734) This invention relates to the treatment of textile yarns,and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for crimping yarns bytwisting several yarns together, heat fixing the yarns while in thetwisted condition, and separating the yarns.

Apparatus and processes for the crimping of textile yarns are knownaccording to which two or more yarns are taken from spools, are twistedtogether along a selected length, are subjected .to heat fixation whilein the twisted condition, and are then separated into individual yarnsby being pulled apart in diiferent directions and at the same speed.When yarn is treated in this way, it has been observed that certainforces are often set up which overstress the yarn and cause it to break.Thus, for example, the respective yarns that are twisted together duringheat fixation may suifer contraction to a different degree, whereforethe point of separation of the yarns deviates laterally as the yarns arepulled apart and breakage may occur.

Efforts to maintain the separation point constant have included the useof conical-shaped yarn withdrawal rollers so that as the point ofseparation tends to move laterally either way from its central position,each yarn will shift appropriately relatively to its conical withdrawalroller to increase or decrease the speed of withdrawal of one yarnrelatively to the other, thus to maintain substantially constant tensionon each yarn, and the point of separation in a constant centralposition.

Such expedients are not completely satisfactory, being not altogetherreliable in operation, particularly at the exceedingly high linealspeeds at which the yarns are moved in such apparatus, i.e. speeds ofthe order of 1000 meters per minute or more. Accordingly, I haveconceived by my invention a method and apparatus by which I am ablereliably to overcome the foregoing ditficulties and disadvantages.

In essence, my invention encompasses a method and apparatus forpermanently crimping textile yarns according to which at least two yarnsare delivered from spools and are twisted together along a selecteddistance, are subjected to heat fixation while in twisted condition, andare again separated by being pulled apart at the same speed and eachunder a tension that is regulated by the application of a braking forceto one or another of the yarns whenever the separation point tends todeviate from its central or middle position.

As an important feature of my invention, I provide an electricallyoperated yarn tension regulator in the zone between the point of yarnseparation and a winding or take-up device for each respective yarn; andmeans in the twisting zone which are affected by the lateral deviationof the separation point to control the electrically operated tensionregulators. I am thus able to effect substantially instantaneousregulation of the yarn tension, a factor which is of considerableimportance when it is realized that the maximum linear speed of yarnbeing treated is limited by the reaction speed of the tension controlapparatus.

As a further feature of my concept, I am able to withdraw the yarns atthe same speed even though the braking force is applied to one of them.Thus, I provide oscillatable rollers over which loops of the yarn are"ice passed subsequent to passing the brakes. These rollers aremaintained in position by resilient means so that when one of the brakesis applied, the yarn to which it is applied is taken up at asubstantially constant rate by reason of the fact that the size of theloop of that yarn passing over its oscillatable roller is reduced as theroller shifts under the yarn tension, against the force of the resilientmeans.

The process and apparatus of the present invention are especially suitedto the treatment, both of endless threads or bundles of filaments, aswell as of staple fiber yarns of thermoplastic fiber material,especially those of polyamides such as polyhexamethyleneadipamide andcondensates of epsilon-capr-olactam or ll-aminoundecaroic acid,polyesters such as polyethyleneglycol terephthalate, vinyl base materialsuch as polyacrylinitril, or polyolefines such as polypropylene, as wellas of mixed yarns of thermoplastic fibers and non-thermoplastic naturalfibers.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofthat follows may be better understood, and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course,additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafterand which will form the subject of the claims appended hereto. Thoseskilled in the art will appreci-. ate that the conception upon whichthis disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for thedesigning of other structures for carrying out the several purposes ofthe invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regardedas including such equivalent construction as do not depart from thespirit and scope of the invention.

A specific embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes ofillustration and description, and is shown in the accompanying drawings,forming a part of the specification, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic elevational view illustrating apparatus accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a profile view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detail view illustrating one form of yarn tension regulatoror braking mechanism according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a detail view illustrating another form of tension regulator;

FIG. 5 is a detail view illustrating yet another form of regulator;

FIG. 6 is a detail view illustrating an eddy current brake forregulating yarn tension;

' FIG. 7 is a plan view of a modified form of eddy current regulator;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the eddy current regulator shown inFIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a schematic elevational view illustrating a system for sensingdeviation of the yarn separation point from its central position;

FIG. 10 is a profile view of the apparatus of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a detail view of a portion of the apparatus of FIGS. 9 and10; and

FIG. 12 is similar to FIG. 11 but illustrates a modified structuraldetail.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, thereare shown two yarn ends 10 and 11 emanating from delivery spools (notshown) and each passing respectively between a pair of feed rollers 12and 14, one of each pair of which is driven by a drive shaft 15. Theyarns are then passed over rollers 16 and 17, respectively, are broughttowards one another and are twisted together along a continuous verticallength 19 which terminates at its lower end in a separation point 20(FIG. 1).

While in the mutually twisted state, i.e. while moving along through thecontinuous length 19, the yarns are subjected to heat fixation by meansof a heating apparatus which may take the form of a plate 21 over whichthe twisted yarns. are passed.

Immediately before the separation point 20, the twisted yarns pass athread carrier 22 which is mounted on a lever 23 pivoted as at 23 forswinging movement in a horizontal plane. apai'r of contact plates 24and- 25 form the means controlling electricalcircuits which, in turn,control the yarn tension regulators or brakes 26 and 27.

The regulators 26, 27' each comprise solenoids 29, the

armatures of. which are connected to pins or rollers 30- and their.respective rollers 30, one of the yarns passes after leaving theseparation point 20.

After passing the yarn regulators 26, 27, the yarns 10, 11 passrespectively over diverting rollers 32 and 34, oscillating rollers 35and diverting rollers 36, then between pairs of feed rollers. 37, one ofeach of which is driven by a drive shaft 39 and from whence the yarnspass on to a winding or take-up device (not shown). Actually, theoscillating rollers 35 are rotatably' mounted at. the lower. ends ofarms 40, the other ends of which are. pivoted as at 41 and connected tolevers 42 loaded by springs 44 to bias the arms away from the rollers 34and 36, as shown in solid lines in FIG. 2.

In the operation of the structure thus far described, it will be seenthat if the separation point 20' deviates from its central position toone side or the other, the thread carrier 22 will come physically intocontact with one of the contact plates 24. or 25, depending upon thedirection of deviation. Such contact serves to close an electricalactuation. circuit, asv will be readily understood by those skilled inthe art, to actuate one of the solenoids 29 whereupon the respectivearmature and pin 30 is drawn towards the solenoid coil to effectabraking action upon the yarn passing between that pin- 30 and itscooperating stationary pins 31. For example, if uneven tensions in theyarns causes the separation point 20 to deviate to the right as seen inFIG- 1,, the carrier 22 contacts the plate 25'energizing. the. solenoid29 and" applying a braking force to the yarn.11-. This reduces thedrawing tension of that yarn between the brake and the separation point20, wherefore the latter moves back to its central or normal positionde-energizing the solenoid 29 of brake 27 as soon as contact betweencarrier 22 and plate 25 is. broken.

It will be noted that when one of the brakes operates, the tension inthe regulated yarn between that brake and the feed rollers 37, willincrease. But this increase is offset by the respective oscillatingroller 35, if the elasticity of the yarn itself is not sufficient tothis end. Thus, the appropriate roller 35 swings towards. the divertingrollers 34, 36 against the force of the spring 44 which returns theroller 35 to its normal position whenthe braking force on thatparticular yarn is relieved. The take up speed of the yarns is thereforemaintained substantiallyv constant even while a braking force is appliedwit.

The tension regulator or brake of FIG. 3 is actuated. inv the samemanner as are regulators 26, 27; but consists of an electromagnet 45adjacent the yarn, a thin plate 46 of non-magnetic material such asaluminum, positioned on the same side of the yarn, and a braking plate47' of magnetic. material such as soft iron. This latter plate 47 ispositioned parallel to the plate 46 but on. the other side of. the yarnso that the yarn normally passes freely between the plates. However, ifthe separation point deviates and the electromagnet 45 is energized, theplate 47 is drawn towards the plate 46 and exerts a frictional brakingforce on the yarn passing there-between.

This thread carrier 22, together withv The tension regulator of FIG. 4comprises a pair of rollers 49, 50 between which the yarn passes, anelectromagnet or solenoid 51 and a brake shoe 52 mounted on an arm 54pivoted at one end, and operable by the solenoid to apply the shoe tothe roller 49. When the solenoid is energized, the arm 54 is drawntowards the roller 49 and the shoe 52 is applied to the roller, thusbraking it and the yarn as well.

In FIG. 5 a tension regulator is shown which is similar to that of FIG;4 except that a friction roller 55 is utilized instead of the pair ofrollers 49, 50'. The yarn is threaded several times around the roller 55and a smaller roller 56; and thesolenoid' 51, shoe 52 and brake arm 54operate as in FIG. 4 to effect braking of the roller 55 upon deviationof the separation point.

In the structure illustrated in FIG. 6, a roller 57, shown in section,is one. of a pair of rollers serving as a yarn guiding device and isformed with a cylindrical rim 59 positioned between the poles of anelectromagnet as. when deviation occurs, the magnet will be energized toproduce eddy currents in the roller 57, thus effecting a braking actionon the yarn.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show asimilar construction except that the roller 57,instead of being formed with a cylindrical portion, has a radial flangeor braking disc 61 which passes between the poles of the electromagnet.

It will be understood, of course,.-that the eddy currentbrakes shown inFIGS. 6 to 8 may also be utilized in similar fashion in connection withfriction rollers.

Turning now to FIGS. 9 and 10, there is illustrated another form ofregulator control means in which the lateral deviations of theseparation point affect the relationship between light beams andphotoelectric cells. Thus, a light source 62 is positioned behind thelength 19 of twisted yarn and light sensitive photoelectric cells 64 arepositioned in the path of beams from the light source and below, butto'each side of the separation point. An arm 65 is pivoted at its upper.end about a pin 66 and carries, at its lower end, a shield 67, detailsof which are shown in FIG. 11. The shield 67 normally prevents lightbeams from the source 62 from impinging upon the cells 64. The shieldhas an opening 69; which serves as a yarn guide, and two slits 79 and 71through which light beams may pass. If the separation point deviates toone side. of its normal, central position, the shield is swung with it.by the action of the yarn which passes through the opening 69, andallows light to pass through one of the rslits70- or 71 to theappropriate cell 64. An electricalirnpulse is thus generated in the celland is used to effect operation of a yarn tensionregulator or brake.

FIG. 12 shows a shield as in FIG. 11, but with modified slits 70, 71.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have conceived amethod and apparatus by which I am able reliably and. substantiallyinstantaneously to sense deviations of the separation point of yarnstwisted together and advancing linearly and then separated by beingpulled apart, and for regulating the tension of the yarns by applying abraking force to one or the other of the yarns when the tension in suchyarn is increased, as when deviation of the separation point occurs. Itwill also be seen that my concept includes a method and means forwithdrawing the yarns at the same speed even though a braking force isapplied to one of them.

I believe thatmy novel method and'a-p-paratus for the crimping oftextile yarns will now beunderstood, and that my invention will be fullyappreciated. by those: persons skilled in the art.

I now claim:

1. Method of permanently crimping textile yarns in which at least twoyarns are twisted together along a selected distance, are subjected toheat fixation while in this condition and then separated at a eparationpoint by being drawn apart in different directions at the same speed,characterized in that the tension of each ofthe separated yarns isregulated by sensing difference between the tensions in the respectiveyarns being separated, and applying a braking force to the separatedyarn of higher tension.

2. Method of permanently crimping textile yarns in which at least twoyarns are twisted together along a selected distance, are subjected toheat fixation while in this condition and then separated at a separationpoint by being drawn apart in different directions at the same speed,characterized in that the tension of each of the separated yarns isregulated by sensing lateral deviations of the separation point of thetwisted yarns due to differences in tension in the respective yarns, andapplying a braking force responsive to such deviation to the yarn ofhigher tension.

3. Method of permanently crimping textile yarns in which at least twoyarns are twisted together along a selected distance, are subjected toheat fixation while in this condition and then separated at a separationpoint by being drawn apart in different directions at the same speed,characterized in that the tension of each of the separated yarns isregulated by effecting completion of an electric circuit upon lateraldeviation of the separation point of the twisted yarns due todifferences in tension in the respective yarns, and energizing yarnbraking means upon completion of such circuit to brake the yarn ofhigher tension.

4. Apparatus for permanently crimping textile yarns in which at leasttwo yarns are twisted together along a selected distance, are heat fixedwhile in twisted condition and are then separated at a separation pointby being drawn apart in different directions at the same speedcomprising means adjacent the length of twisted yarns sensingdifferences in tension in the respective yarns drawn apart and yarntension regulator means operable by said sensing means applying abraking force to the yarn of higher tension.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said sensing means comprisesswitch contacts and said tension regulator com-prises an electromagneticyarn brake.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said yarn tension regulatorcomprises roller means engaging each of said yarns and electromagneticmeans inducing eddy currents in said roller means.

7. Apparatus for permanently crimping textile yarns in which at leasttwo yarns are twisted together along a selected distance and are heatfixed while in twisted condition and are then separated at a separationpoint by being drawn apart in different directions at the same speedcomprising electrical contact means adjacent the length of twisted yarnseffecting an electrical circuit upon lateral deviation of the twistedyarns due to differences in tension in the respective yarns drawn apart,and braking means including cooperating elements on opposite sides ofthe yarn of higher tension and means drawing said elements together uponenergization of said circuit to apply a braking force to said yarn.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said elements comprise -aplate of non magnetic material on one side of the yarn and a secondplate of magnetic material on the other side of the yarn, and saiddrawing means includes an electromagnetic for shifting the magneticplate towards the non magnetic plate upon energization of said circuit.

9. Apparatus for permanently crimping textile yarns in which at leasttwo yarns are twisted together along a selected distance and are heatfixed while in twisted condition and are then separated at a separationpoint by being drawn apart in different directions at the same speedcomprising electrical contact means adjacent the length of twisted yarnseffecting an electrical circuit upon lateral deviation of the twistedyarns due to difference in tension in the respective yarns drawn apart,and braking means for each yarn including roller means engaging theyarn,

a brake shoe for frictionally engaging the roller means andelectromagnetic means effecting operation of said shoe upon energizationof said circuit.

10. Apparatus for permanently crimping textile yarns in which at leasttwo yarns are twisted together along a selected distance, are heat fixedwhile in twisted condition, and are then separated at a separation pointby being drawn apart in different directions at the same speedcomprising an electrical circuit including a yarn guide mov ablelaterally upon lateral deviation of the twisted yarns due todififerences in tension in the respective separated yarns, contactplates adjacent said yarn guide and a yarn tension regulator for eachsuch yarn operable upon contact of said yarn guide and one of saidcontact plates to apply a braking force to the yarn of higher tension.

11. Apparatus for permanently crimping textile yarns in which at leasttwo yarns are twisted together along a selected distance, are heat fixedwhile in twisted condition, and are then separated at a separation pointby being drawn apart in different directions at the same speedcomprising an electrical circuit including means including a shieldmovable laterally upon lateral deviation of the twisted yarns due todifferences in tension in the respective separated yarns, openings insaid shield, a pair of photoelectric cell's on one side of said shield,a stationary light source on the other side of said shield arranged toactuate one or the other of said cells by light from said source uponlateral movement of said guide and shield, and yarn tension controlmeans operable by said cells to apply a braking force to the yarn ofhigher tension.

12. Apparatus for permanently crimping textile yarns in which at leasttwo yarns are twisted together along a selected distance, are heat fixedwhile in twisted condition and are then separated at a separation pointby being drawn apart in different directions at the same speedcornprising means adjacent the length of twisted yarns sensingdifferences in tension in the respective yarns drawn apart, yarn tensionregulator means operable by said sensing means applying a braking forceto the yarn of higher tension, and resilient means positioned subsequentto said regulator means and engaged by loops of said yarns for shiftingto reduce the size of one of said loops, thus permitting take-up of theyarns at a constant rate.

13. Apparatus for permanently crimping textile yarns in which at leasttwo yarns are twisted together along a selected distance, are heat fixedwhile in twisted condition and are then separated at a separation pointby being drawn apart in different directions at the same speedcomprising means adjacent the length of twisted yarns sensingdifferences in tension in the respective yarns drawn apart, yarn tensionregulator means operable by said sensing means applying a braking forceto the yarn of higher tension, a pair of stationary rollers for eachyarn subsequent to said regulator means, and a spring biased rollerbetween each pair of stationary rollers and spaced laterally thereuponto guide said yarns in a looped path whereby the loop is reduced whenbraking force is applied to permit take-up at a constant rate.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,881,504 4/ 1959Billion 28-72 2,987,869 6/1961 Klle'in 57-34 3,091,908 -6/ 1963Carruthers 57-34 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,197,715 6/1959 France. 1,251,34612/1960 France.

STANLEY N. GILREATH, Primary Examiner.

MERVIN STEIN, Examiner.

D. E. WATKINS, Assistant Examiner.

1. METHOD OF PERMANENTLY CRIMPING TEXTILE YARNS IN WHICH AT LEAST TWOYARNS ARE TWISTED TOGETHER ALONG A SELECTED DISTANCE, ARE SUBJECTED TOHEAT FIXATION WHILE IN THIS CONDITION AND THEN SEPARATED AT A SEPARATIONPOINT BY BEING DRAWN APART IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS AT THE SAME SPEED,CHARACTERIZED IN THAT THE TENSION OF EACH OF THE SEPARATED YARNS ISREGULATED BY SENSING DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TENSIONS IN THE RESPECTIVEYARNS BEING SEPARATED, AND APPLYING A BRAKING FORCE TO THE SEPARATEDYARN OF HIGHER TENSION.